Rotary engine.



No. 869,147. yPATENCILED 00T. 22.. 1907.

' N. R. SMITH.

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, 5f/Wag@ y No. 869,147. -PATENTBD OCT. 2 2. 1907.

' N. R. SMITH.

ROTARY ENGINE. APPLIGATION HLBD JAN'. 25. 1906.

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PATBNTBD OCT. 22. 1907.

N.KR. SMITH.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 25, 190s.

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N. R. SMITH.

ROTARY ENGINE. APPLIOATION :FILED JAN. z5, 1906.

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PATENTED 001322. 1907.

N. R.' sMlTH. .ROTARY ENGINE..

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1906.

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NORMAN R. SMITH, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

trs. 869,147.

Specification of Letters Patent.

latented Oct. 22, 1907.

Application filed January 25,1906. Serial No. 297,843.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NORMAN R. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Seattle, in the county of King and State of Washington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in rotary engines and comprises the novel parts and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The object of my invention is, in general, to improve and simplify theconstruction and operation of rotary engines.

One object which l have in particular is to produce a rotary engine in which all of the moving parts have only a rotative motion and in which none of the parts have a reciprocating motion, thereby avoiding the loss of power due to the acceleration and retardation of reciprocating members. i

ln the drawings accompanying and forminga part of this specification I have shown my engine embodied in the form which is now preferred by me.

Figure l is a transverse section and partial elevation of my engine with one of the casing heads removed. Fig. 2 is a section taken on a vertical plane passing through the central shaft. Fig. 3 is an elevation and partial transverse section, the line of section being through the ports or steam passages in'one of the casing heads. Fig. l is an end elevation ofthe engine showing only the shafts and base frame in section. Fig. 5 is a section taken just inside of the outer bearing at the end which is supplied with the connecting gears. F ig. G is a diagram showing an end elevation of three of the connecting rotary heads illustrating the construction ofthe wing plate at the ends of the central or abritnient head. Fig. 7 is a section on the horizontal central line of Fig Most rotary engines have one or more parts, as for instance the abutments, which have a reciprocating motion, and for this reason the wear on the parts is very much increased, additional friction is produced and increased strain in caused by the periodic necessity for retarding and accelerating these reciprocating parts. For this reason the speed of rotation is limited, and the `full value of the rotative feature is not utilized.

One of the chief objects in view in designing my present invention has been -to entirely do away with all reciprocative motion, from which it results that the speed at which the engine may run is limited to the ability of the parts to resist centrifugal strain.

My engine comprises a central rotary head about which are grouped a plurality of rotary heads, all of said heads having practically the same outline, that is, consisting of peripheral surfaces such that two heads may turn and maintain constant peripheral contact, certain portions of the periphery havinga greater radius than others. In other words the rotary heads are lobed, and, in the form shown, which form is now preferred by me, the peripheral surfaces consist of circular' segments which are alternately of a -larger and of a smaller radius. The surfaces upon (2o-acting heads are so proportioned that there is at all times peripheral contact between the two heads of such character as to iorm a substantially steam tight joint. The outlines of these heads are clearly shown in Fig. l which represents an elevation of the engine with thecasing head removed, a portion of the cylinder casing being shown in section. In this ligure one of the wing plates on the central or abutment head is also removed in order to better show other parts. rhe position and construction of these wing plates, is, however, clearly shown in Figs. 2, 6 and 7.

All of the rotary heads are of the same type. I have shown these heads ashaving only two lobes each. The number of lobes on each head may however be varied and made only one lobe to the head or any larger number desired. Each head consists of alternate segments of a larger and a smaller diameter, said segments each extending through arcs of the same size. With ahead having two lobes, these arcs will be 90. The cross sectional shape of head preferred is clearly shown in Fig. l.

I have shown a single central head l mounted upon a shaft l0, and four coperative heads 2 which intermesh with the central abutment head l. The segment having a larger radius on one of these heads contacts with a segment of a smaller radius on another head. The four heads 2 are mounted upon shafts 20 and placed at equal distances about the central head l and so as to contact therewith. The various shafts extend outward where they are connected by gears 8 which intermesh and insure uniformity' of rotation.

The central or abutment head l also acts as a valve, controlling the supply of steam to the outer or power heads 2. he abutment head has ports ll extending from its end face to the periphery of the segments of the larger radius, These ports are preferably located on the diameterpassing through the center of said seg ments. The power heads 2 are of the same length as the abutment head l, but the abutment head has an eX- tension at each head consisting of a wing plate l2 which is a complete circle in outline and which has ports 13 coextensive with ports ll in the abutment head.

Steam is supplied through these ports, preferably from stationary ports at each Vend of the head. If the engine is to be non-reversible, that is, operated in one direction only, the ports 53 from which the steam is received may be formed in the casing h ead. These ports, which are'shown dotted in `Fig. l, should be so located that the steam admission to the ports ll begins at or immediately after the time when the peripheral opening of the port ll passes the point of contact with the coacting power head 2. The position of the heads shown in Fig. l is the position occupied at the time when the beginning of this port opening occurs for two of the power heads. If the engine is to be reversible, means must be provided for shifting the `location of the ports in he casing head to the opposite side of the line passing through the central shaft and the outer' power shafts. These ports 53 in the casing head Correspond in nunrber with the number of powerl heads. In order to shift the position of these ports I have placed them in a reversing disk, which disk is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and This reversing disk 5 is preferably made hollow and as herein shown has a central opening through which the shaft l0 passes, thus making of the disk a hollow annulus. The annular space 50 in this disk extends entirely about the shaft and the disk has a port opening in its periphery at one side, of such angular extent as at all times to connect with the steam passage 40 in the casing heads. The extent of the port opening 5l and of the steam passage 4() is such that the shifting of a reversi ng disk will never close the port opening such an amount as to materially throttle th e steam.

The reversing disk 5 is mounted in a cylindrical recess formed in the casing head, the disk fitting this recess as tightly as is feasible without creating rurdue friction when turned. The contacting surfaces are preferably secured against leakage by means of spring packing rings, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. This reversing disk is prevented from being forced outward by means of a ring 55 which is secured to the casing head by bolts and which overlaps the edge of the reversing disk so as to form a good bearing. I prefer that the walls of the recess in which the reversing disk is seated extend outward a little less than the thickness of the disk so that the force of Contact of this reversing disk against the wing plates in the abutment head may be vadjusted so as to secure a steam tight joint without undue friction. This constrrrction leaves a good portion of the ,outer surface of the reversing disk exposed and permits of the direct attachment of the reversing lever 54 by means of which the disk may be shifted to reverse the engine.

The period of admission of the steam is determined by the angular extent of the port-s in the abutment head and in the reversing disk. This period of admission as shown in the drawings and as preferred by me, lasts from the time when the center of the greater segment in the abutment head begins to leave one of the power heads, until the steam port in the abutment head reaches the corner of the casing lying between the pockets or recesses occupied by two adjacent power h eads. This is practically through an angle of 45".

Steam discharge through the port in the abutment head enters the space between the periphery of said labutment head and the power head, acting upon the radial space extending from the smaller to a larger radius of the larger head. This space constitutes the effective piston area. At the time when the port in the abutment head passes the corner of the casing referred to, the corner of the abutment head located at the following end of the outer segment, leaves contact with the segment of the smaller radins on the power head, and at the same time the advancing corner of the segment of larger' radius on the power head contacts with the advancing corner of the segment of smaller radius on the abutment head, thus maintain` ing the integrity of the joint back of the steam. From this point until the segment of larger radius has entirely cleared the cor'ner ofthe casing referred to, the steam acts expansively. The action of the steam during this period of expansion is an impelling force upon two of these surfaces and a retarding force upon one, thus leaving a balance of impelling force upon one of these surfaces. In the construction shown, the period of admission is through anfangle of 45D in each head, and there are four heads which are succcssively brought into action. The action, therefore, consists of a series of admissions extending over 45o, alternating with a series of expansions, each extending over 45, thus including the entire circle. Should it occur that the engine stopped with the ports in a position occupied during one of these expansion periods, or should it be desired to momentarily increase the power of the engine, it is desirable to have available means for admitting steam to the engine during the normal period of expansion. I have provided for this by means of passover or auxiliary valves, one of which is supplied for each power head. These pass-over or auxiliary valves arelocated in the casing, in the exterior angle between the pockets or cylinders occupied by the power heads. In the form shown a cylindrical seat 33 extends through the easing from side to side and receives a valve consisting of a tube G which should fit snugly in this seat, but be free to turn. This seat is connected by means of two ports 6G, with both adjacent pockets er cylinders occupied by the power heads 2. The valveG is provided with a single port G0 which normally lies between the two ports 6G so that steam will not normally be admitted through these auxiliary valves. When, however, it is desired to utilize these valves, it is only necessary to turn them so as to bring the port in the valve in registry with one of the ports in the casing, whereupon steam will be admitted to the expansion space in the cylinder and the engine may be started.

The cylinder casing 3 has a steam chest 36 cast therein on its upper side and this comnrunicatcs by ports 37 with the steam passages #l0 in the casing heads 4 at each side, and by opening 38 with the steam supply pipe 39. 30th casing heads have openings in the inner walls of the steam passages 110, registering with the seat containing the passover valve The valve Ghas side openings or ports (il located in the steam passage ll0 in one casi-ng head, through which steam may be supplied. The other end communicates directly with the passage 40 in the opposite casing head.

The casing heads have steam passages -ll extending from the recess occupied by the reversing disk to and surrounding the other' three pass-over valves. The details of construction above described apply to these also. Steam passages Lll connect with ports 52 in the periphery of the reversing disks through which they receive their steam. These ports are also of sufficient extent, as shown in Fig. 3, to' .maintain connection when the reversing disk is shifted.

In one of the casing heads the seat for the pass-over valves extends through the outer walls of the passages V40 and ll. This end of the valve is plugged and has a stem G2 projecting from the casing head and utilized to turn the valve. All four of these valves should be turned at the same time and in like amount. The

i removal by a collar 67 which bolts to the casinghead.

l have shown this collar as having beveled ring-like sui-laces at 68 bearing respectively upon the end oi the valve tube and upon the casing head, whereby a steam tight joint may be maintained. v

Steam is preferably supplied at both ends ol the abutment head 1, thereby avoiding the Wear and lriction which would be caused by unbalanced end thrust. The reversing disk, ports in casing heads etc., are therelore duplicated at each end ol the engine.

As l have herein shown it, the irame and cylinder ports are provided with side lugs 71 which rest upon and are secured to longitudinal I-beams 7 which are in turn secured together by a bottom plate or bar 70 to lorm a bed lrame. Any other iorm ol bed [rame may, however, be employed.

The cylinder casing is shown as having a peripheral exhaust channel 32 communicating With all the exhaust ports 3lV and provided with openings 34 at either side and bottom adapted to receive an exhaust pipe connection. Whichever one oi these is most convenient may be used, the other being stopped by a plain plate.

As the exhaust ports 3l extend substantially clear across the cylinder casing l have throught it Wise to strengthen this point by peripherally extending ribs or Webs 34 which overlap the port-s 3l.

The details of construction herein described are thosewhich are now preferred by me and not necessarily the only practicable ones nor the only ones contemplated by me. They are therefore not to be consid ered as exclusive oi the use ol other constructions as substitutes.

What l claim is:

1. A rotary engine comprisinga series ot' rotative heads each having' peripheral segments alternately of a larger and ol? a smaller radius, one of said heads being placed centrally oi and having peripheral contact with the others, said contact being between segments ol the larger radius on one and segments oi the smaller radius on the other, and means controlled by the central head for admitting; steam to the chambers containing the outer heads and at points without the greater radius of the central head.

2. A rotary engine comprisingr a central abutment head and a plurality of power heads grouped about said central abutment head, said heads all being of like shape and comprising peripheral segments alternately of larger' and smaller radius, the power heads peripherally contacting with the abutment head by a surface ot the larger radius on one with a surface oi the smaller radins on the other, said abutment head having inlet ports opening ont in its peripheral surfaces ot the larger radius.

3. A rotary engine comprising a series ot' rotative heads each having peripheral surl'aees alternately ot' a largeland a smaller radius adapted to permit their turning uniformly and maintaining peripheral contact, one of said heads being placed centrally oi" and maintaining contact with the others` said central head being provided with ports adapted to discharge the steam centrally ol its larger peripheral segments.

4. A rotary engine, comprising a series of rotative heads each having peripheral surfaces alternately of a larger and a smaller radius adapted to permit their turning uniformly and maintaining peripheral contact, one of said heads being placed centrally of and maintaining contact with the others, said central head being provided with ports extending from its end face to the peripheral segments of the larger radins, and a noirrotative member having ports tor `supplying steam to the ports in the central head.

5. A rotary engine comprising a series oiz rotative heads each having peripheral surfaces alternately of a larger and a smaller radins adaptedlto permit their turning uniformly andmaintaining peripheral contact, one of said heads' be ing placed centrally of and maintaining contact with the others, said central head being provided with ports ex tending trom its end face to the peripheral segments ot' the larger radius, and a non-rotative member having ports equal in number and angularlyv disposed to correspond to the outer heads for suplying steam to the ports in the central head,

G. A rotary engine comprising a series of rotative heads each having peripheral surfaces alternately of a larger and a smaller radius adapted to permit their turning uniformly and maintaining peripheral contact, one of said heads heing placed centrally of and maintaining contact with the others, said central head heilig provided with ports extending from its end i'ace to the peripheral segments of the larger radius, a non-rotative member having ports for supplying steam to the ports in the central head and means for swinging said iionaotative member to opposite sides of a central position to control the direction of rotation ot the heads. Y

7. A rotary engine comprising a series of rotary heads having lobes and circular segmental peripheral surfaces, one of said heads being centrally placed and the other in ter-meshing therewith with peripheral contact, said central head having steam supply ports discharging centrally ol the periphery of its lobes and receiving their supply from the end face of the head, a reversing disk engaging said end face and having ports therein adapted to register with the ports in the end face oli the rotary head, and means for shitting the angular position of said reversing disk.

S. A rotary engine comprising a series of lohed rotary heads, one of said heads being placed centrally and the others intermeshing therewith, said central head' having circular disks at its ends overlapping the end faces of the other heads.

9. A rotary engine comprising a series of lohed rotary heads, one oi said heads being placed centrally and the others intermeshing therewith, said central head having circular disks at its ends overlapping the end faces of the other heads and also having steam supply ports extending from its end t'ace inward.

l0. A rotary engine comprising a series of lohed rotary heads, one of said heads being placed centrally and the others intermeshing therewith, said central head having circular disks at its ends overlapping 'the end faces of the other heads and also having steam supply ports extending from its end face to the outer periphery oi the lobe.

ll. A rotary engine comprising a series ot lohed heads, one of said heads being placed centrally and the others inter-meshing therewith, said central head having circular disks at its ends overlapping the end l'aces ol the other heads and also having steam supply ports extending from its end face inward, a reversing disk engaging said end tace and having ports adapted to register with the ports in the said head and means for angularly shitting said reversing disk.

l2. A rotary engine comprising a series of rotary heads each having peripheral segments alternately of a larger and of a smaller radius, one ot' said heads being placed centrally ot and having rotative peripheral contact with the others, said central head having circular end disks overlapping the end faces ot' the other heads, said central head also haying the steam supply ports extending from its end faces inward and the other heads being without ports.

1?. A rotary engine comprising a series of rotary heads each having peripheral segments alternately of a larger and of a smaller' radins, one of said heads being placed centrally of and having rotative peripheral contact with the others, said central head having circular end disks over lapping the end faces ol the other heads, said central head also having the steam supply ports extending from its end CJD taces inward and the other heads being without ports, reversing disks in contact with the end faces of the central head and provided with ports adapted to i'egistei' with the ports in the central head, and means for shitting said reversing disks to place their ports at either side of a central position.

14. A rotary engine comprising a i'otary piston head ha ving supply ports in its end tace, a normally stationary hollow disk having a peripheral supply port and side discharge ports therein adapted to register with the poi'ts in the rot'iry head, and means t'or reversing' the engine by turning said reversing' disks.

15. A rotary engine comprising a lobed rotai'y head having' circular end disks of a i'adiiis equal te the maximum radius ot' the lobes, and other lobed heads fitting and turnin;l between said circular end disks.

iti. A rota engine comprising a lobed rotary head having periplneral surfaces ot' a larger and ot' a smaller radius and ports opening in its end faces beyond its smaller radius. and circular end disks secni'ed to said head and extending beyond said ports.

1T. A rota y ine comprising a lobed rotary head having' peripheral surlaces of a larger and ot' a smaller radius and ports extending trom its end faces at points beyond the smaller radius, circular end disks secured to said head and extending outwardly beyond said ports, revei'sing disks contacting with said end faces and having ports adapted to register with the ports in the heads, and means for shitting the reversing disks to alter the angulai' position of its ports.

1S. A rotary engine comprising a series ot lobed rotary heads having' circular segmental peripheralsurfaces alternately oi a larger and ot a smaller radius, one of said heads being centrally placed and acting as an abutment for the others, said other heads being' gi'oiiped about and turning in contact with said central abutment head, said central head having the supply ports extending t'roin its end faces and supplying steam in succession i'or the outer heads. a cylinder casing having' cylindrical pockets i'or said heads and an exhaust poi't t'or each o the outer pockets located at: the side opposite to the central head.

il). A rotary engine comprising a series of lobed rotary heads having' circular segmental peripheral surfaces altci'- nately ot a larger and ot' a smaller radius, one ot' said heads being centrally placed and acting as an abutment for the others, said other heads being grouped about and turning' in contact with said central abutment head, said central head having' the supply poi'ts extending from its end iaees and supplying' steam in succ ssion for the outer heads, a cylinder casing having cylindrical pockets for said heads and an exhaust. port 1'oi' each of the outer pockets located at the side opposite to the central head, reversing disks conta ting with the centi'al head and having ports adapted to register with the poi'ts in said head, and means t'or shitting the angular position oli' said reversing disks to tlici'eby control the direction ot' i'otation of the engine.

20. A rotary engine comprising a central rot-L ive head and a plui'ality of similar heads grouped about said central head and turning in unison therewith, said central head having within itsclt' the steam distributing ports and aciiiig as a valve and ahutinent for the other heads.

1. A rotary engine comprising a central rotative head and a plurality ot' similar heads grouped about said central head and turning iii unison therewith, said central head having within itself the steam distributing ports connecting with its end i'ace and acting as a valve and abutment lfor the other heads, a movable disk contacting with said end i'ace and having poi'ts adapted to register with the ports in the head, and means tor angularly shifting said disk.

A rotary engine comprising a sei'ies of rotative heads, each having` peripheral segments alternately olf a larger aiid ot a smaller sadius, one ot said heads boing placed centrally ot' and having peripheral contact with the others, said contact being' between surl'aces ot the smaller i'adius on one aud surfaces ot the larger radins on the other, said central head alone being supplied with ports which distribute steam for the other heads.

21;. A rotary engine comprising a sci'ies of rotative heads, each having peripheral segments alternately of a 'er and of a smaller radius, one of said heads being placed centrally of and having peripheral contact with the others, said contact being between surfaces of the smaller radius on one and surfaces of the larger radius on the otliei', said central head being supplied with ports which distribute steam for the other heads, a casing" inelosing' said heads and having an exhaust port for cach of the outer or power heads on the side opposite the central head, and supply ports at the end tace of the central head.

24. A reversing disk for rotary engines comprising a hollow disk having' discharge ports in one side face and a. receiving port in its periphery.

25. ln a rotary engine, in combination, a rotary head having ports in its end tace. a normally stationary reversing disk comprising a hollow aniiulus surrounding the shaft and having discharge ports in one side face and a receiving port in its periphery and means tor angnlarly shi ting said disk, to reverse the engine.

Bti. A reversing disk for rotary engines comprising a hollow disk having discharge ports in one side l'ace and a receiving poi't iii its periphery a ca ing having a circular opening adapted to receive and permit turning oi said disk therein with substantially a steam tight pei'iphci'al joint, said casing having a steam snpplv port adapt-ed to register with the pei'iphcral port in the di A reversing disk for rotary engines comprising' a hollow disk having discharge ports in one side taco and a receiving port in its periphery, a cylindrical casing receiving said disk and opening externally at its outer end means for holding said dis in said casing, and a shitting lever providedwith connections with said disk.

2S. A rotary engine comprising a rotative head having supply ports opening in one end tace, a hollow disk contacting' with said end faces and having' ports adapted to register with the ports in said head, a casing having a circular recess adapted to receive said disk and form a tight peripheral joint therewith, said disk and the wall of its recei ing recess having ports adapted to maintain conmeans for holding said disk iii place and in contact with the rotative head, and a lever connected with said disk whereby it may be shifted in angular position.

2D. A rotary engine comprising a rotary head having ports in i s end tace, a easing having a circular opening' extending to said face ot the rotary head, a hollow disk making a steam tight joint in said openings and contacting with the port surt'ace of the rotary head, said disk having ports in its side lace adapted to register with the poi'ts in the rotary head, said disk and the wall of its receiving recess having peripheral supply poi'ts adapted to register, a ring secured to the casing and engaging the outer surface oi the disk to hold it in engagement with the rotary head, and a shit' ig' lever secured to the disk whereby it may be shit't'ed in an -ular position.

3X0. A reversing' disk i'or rotary engines having a peripheral supply port, and discharge poi'ts both in its periphery and side face.

3l. A reversing disk for rotary engines having a peripheral supply poi't, and discharge ports both in its periphery and side t'ace, and a tixed casing' having a recess receiving said disk and making a steam tight joint with its pei'ipliei'y, said casing having a supply port registering with the supply poi't ol' the disk and distributing poi'ts registering with the peripheral discharge ports ot' the disk.

32. A reversing' disk for rotary engines having a pei'iplieral supply port, and discharge ports both in its periphery and side tace, and a tixed casing having a recess receiving said disk and making' a steam tight joint with its periphery, said casing having a supply port registering with the supply port ol' the disk and distributing ports registering with the peripheral discharge poi'ts of the disk, and means for angularly shitting said disk without disturbing its poi't connections with its casing.

contacting with the end faces of the central rotary head y and having dischargel ports adapted to registei with the ports in the said head, the casing heads having cylindrical recesses receiving said reversing disks, said disks and casing heads having peripherally registering steam ports, and means for turning said disks.

A rotary engine comprising a central rotary head and a plurality of similar rotary heads grouped about and turning with said central head, said heads having circular peripheral segments of dit'terent radii, a casing peripherally embracing said rotary heads, casing heads. said central rotary head an`d the casing heads having por adapted to register at suitable times and to cut oit' the steam to secure expansion, a pass-over or auxiliary valve located in cach outer angle between the outer heads, and ports from said auxiliary valves to the adjacent cylinders, whereby steam may be supplied. after it has been cut ofi by the central rotary head.

35. A rotary engine comprising a central rotary head and a plurality ot' similar rotary heads grouped about said central head and turning in unison therewith. said heads having circular peripheral segments alternately ot' ditt'erent radii, a' casing and casing heads inclosing said rotary heads, means for controlling the normal admission of steam by the central head to secure an expansiem passover or auxiliary valves located in the exterior angles between the outer heads. and means for operating sa d auxiliary' valves to admit steam t0 the cylinder spaces atter it has been cut oil by the central head.

lili. A rotary engine comprising a central rotary head and a plurality ot similar rotary heads grouped about said central head and turning in unison therewith, said heads having' circular peripheral segments alternately of different radii, a casing and casing heads inclosing said rotary heads. means tor controlling the normal admi sion ot' steam by the central head to secure an expansion, tubular passover or auxiliary valves located in the exterior angles between the outer heads and extending from casing heads to casing head, the casing heads having supply ports conneet ing with both ends oi the auxiliary valves, and means l'or operating all oi' said auxiliary valves together.

Il?. A rotary engine comprising a central rotary head and a plurality of similar rotary heads grouped about: said central head and turning in unison therewith, said heads having circular peripheral segments alternately oi' dil'terent radii,` a casing and casing heads inclosing said rotary heads, means for controllingthe normal admission ot steam by the central head to secure an expansion, a passY over or auxiliary valve for each power cylinder and means tor operating said valves to admit steam to the cylinder spaces after it has been cut ott by thecentral head.

ii. A rotary engine comprising` a central rotary head and a plurality of similar rotary heads grouped about said central head and-.turning in unison therewith, said heads having circular peripheral segments alternately olf diiterent radii, a casing and casing heads inclosing said rotary heads, means tor controlling the normal admission of steam by the central head to secure an expansion, a pass over or auxiliary valve ior each power cylinder and means for operating said valves to admit steam to the cylinder spaces ai'tcr it has been cut oi'i by the central head, said passover valves havingl stems extending to the exterior, a segment arc on each stem and flexible members connecting said segment arcs whereby all the auxiliary valves are moved to ther.

3f). A rotary engine comprising a central rotary head, a plurality ot similar rotary heads'gronped about said central head and turning in unison therewith, said heads having circular peripheral segments alternately of a larger and a smaller' radius a ea ng cylinder peripherally inclosing said rotary heads, casing heads secured to and inclosing the ends of said cylinder, means for controlling the steam admission through and by the central rotary head, the casing cylinder having a peripherally extending exhaust passage or cha/mber and exhaust ports communieating between said chamber and each of the power chamA bers.

40. A rotary engine comprising a central rotary head, a plurality of similar rotary heads grouped about: said cen tral head and turning in unison therewith, said heads hann ing circular peripheral segments alternately of a larger 4l. A rotary engine comprising rotary power heads and a rotary abutment head, means for controllingl the dist ibution oi steam by the abutment; head, a reversing disk, said reversing disk and abutment head having cooperative ports, and means whereby shifting the reversing disk will produce a reversal of the engine.

42. A rotary engine comprising rotary power heads and a rotary abutment head, means for controlling the distribution of steam by the abutment head, a hollow reversing disk, said disk and the abutment head having coperative ports, a fixed member having a circular rec ss receiving said disk and forming a steam tight joint with the periphery thereof, said lixed member and the disk having ports maintaining registry as the disk is rocked, and means whereby angular shifting of said disk and its ports causes a reversal of the engine.

43. A rotary engine comprising rotary power heads and a rotary abutment head. means tor controlling' the distribution of steam by the abutment head, a hollow rever ng disk. said disk and abutment head having coperative ports, means whereby said disk may be angularly shifted without attecting its stminrsupply, and means whereby such shifting produces a reversal of the engine. l

`l-l. A rotary head comprising a central rotary abutment head and a plurality ot rotary power heads grouped about i' lid central abutment head. said heads having circular peripheral segments alternately ol diilerent radii and adapted to turn in peripheral contact with the abutment head, said abutment head having steam ports opening in its end face and in the peripheral segments of larger radius, said ports being located on the central diameter ol the segments ol" larger' radius, a reversing disk havingl ports cooperative with the ports in the end lace ol' the abutment head, and means for angularly shitting .aid disk to canse its ports to begin registry with those in the rotary head when the ports in the latter reach positions in line with the axes ofA the power heads when turning in either direction.

A rotary engine comprising a central rotary abutment head, a. plurality of power heads grouped about said abutment bead, said heads having circularl peripheral segments oi different radii and peripherally contacting with the abutment head, means lor controlling the normal ad mission oi team by said abutment head to secure expair sion in the steam cylinders. a cylinder casing having cylindrical pockets each inclosi'ng one of said heads, said casing having cylindrical seats for pass-over or auxiliary valves located in ,the exterior angle between adjacent poclv ets and ports connecting said seats with each adjacent pocket, a tubular valve in each of said seats having a port. adapted to communicate with `either of its seat ports. stems for said valves extending to the exterior, and steam passages in the casing heads communicating with said valves.

4G. A rotary engine having a lobed rotary head provided with ports in the end face of the lobes at a greater radius than the bottom of the valley between lobes, and a circular web at the end having registering ports and extending to a greater radius than the said ports.

-l'l'.l A rotary engine having a lobed rotary head provided with ports in the end face of the lobes at a greater radius than the least radius ot the valley between the lobes, and having a web continuing the said end face be tween the lobes and having a greater radins than said ports.

4S. A rotary engine comprising a series of rotative heads, each having peripheral segments alternately of a larger and of a smaller radius, one or said heads being placed centrally of and having peripheral Contact with the others. said contact: being between segments ot the larger radius on one and segments of the smaller radius on the other, means controlled by the central head for admitting steam to the chambers containing the outer heads at points without the greater radius of the central head, and intel-meshing gears, each connected with its respective r0 tary head, whereby unison of rotation is secured. i

lt). A rotary engine comprising a series of rotative heads each having peripheral surfaces alternately of a larger and of a smaller radius adapted to permit their turning synchronously and maintainingr peripheral contact. and intermeshing gears connected, each with its respective rotative head, the central head being provided with ports receiving .steam at its end faces and discharging atV its peripheries ol the larger radius.

5t). A rotary engine comprising a series ot lobed rotary heads. one ot said heads beingl centrally placed and the others intermeshing therewith, said central head having circular disks at its ends overlapping the end faces et' the other heads and gears connecting said heads to insure synchronism ot rotation.

3l. A rotary engine comprising a series of lobed rotary heads. one o1' said heads being centrally placed and the others` intermeshing therewith, said central head having circular disks at its ends overlapping the end 'faces of the other heads and also having steam ports extending from its periphery to both end faces, the port openings in said end t'nccs being equal in area and registering with their supply ports at the same time, whereby the end thrust o the steam is balanced.

A rotary engine comprising a series of lobed rotary heads, one ol" said heads being centrally placed 'and the others intermeshing therewith, gears connected. each with its respective rotary head and intermeshing to secure synchronous rotation, said central head having' steam supY ply ports extending from each end i'ace to its periphery, the opposite end tace openings ot said ports being ot' equal arca whereby the end thrust ot steam is balanced.

Ill. A rotary engine comprising a series of lobed rotary heads, one of said heads being centrally placed and the others intel-meshing therewith, gears connected, each witli its respective rotary head and inter-meshing to secure synchronous rotation, said central head having a circular disk at cach end overlapping the end t: ces ol the other heads'and having supply ports ot equal area in each end tace.

termeshing with the others, means for securing synchronous turning ot said heads, and means directly controlled by said abutment head for simultaneously admittingsteam to opposite el' the outer power heads, whereby the rotative ellect connnunicated to the central shal't is balanced.

55. A rotary engine comprising a series ot' lobed rotary heads, one of said heads heilig centrally placed and the other heads being placed in pairs of which the heads are respectively at opposite sides of the central head and maintain an intermeshing peripheral contact therewith, means connecting said heads to insure synchronous rota tion. and means controlled by one ol' said heads for admit ting steam simultaneously to opposite heads ol each pair whereby the rotative ell'ect upon the central head is balanced.

Srl. A. rotary engine comprising a Aseries of lobed rotary heads, one of said heads being ntrally placed and intermeshing with .the others. a corresponding series oi intermeshing gears connected, each with its respective rotary head, and means 'controlled by the rotation ol the heads lor admitting steam simultaneously to opposite outer heads whereby the rotative elt'ect upon the central head is balanced.

3T. A rotary engine comprising a central rotary abut ment head having supply ports therein and rotary power heads turning with and grouped about the' abutment head, and means [or controlling the steam admission to opposite power heads to balance the steam thrust against the abutment headA io. A rotary engine comprising a lobed abutment head. a plurality of power heads ot' the same outline as the abutment head. each meshing with said abutment head, steam admission device controlled by the abutment head and steam exhaust means controlled by the power heads.

.39. A rotary engine comprising a central abutment head having peripheral circular arcs of dill'erent radii and power heads ol like kind meshingl each with the abutment. head to turn in peripheral contact therewith, and means controlled by the' abutment head tor admitting steam to the outer power heads. i

1u testimony whereot'. l have hereunto allixed my Signa ture this 15th day ot' January 1906, in the presence ol two witnesses.

NORMAN Il. SMITH.

Witnesses lattn Wasnminx, WM. B. '.lxmni. 

